"Cowboys to Install Electronic Stability Control in Terrell Owens: While Segways continue to ricochet down sidewalks out of control, there was great news last week regarding auto safety. The Department of Transportation announced a proposal that would make electronic stability control, which significantly reduces the odds of spin-out and roll-over, will be required on all cars, SUVs and pickup trucks beginning with the 2009 model year. Considering the high-profile public razzle over the federal airbag requirement, the news about electronic stability control received remarkably little notice -- though airbags save 1,000 to 2,000 lives per year and ESC is expected to save as many as 10,000 lives annually. Why wasn't the most significant auto safety advance in 20 years front-page news? Possibly because it is a federal safety regulation, thus conflicting with the preferred media storyline of... George W. Bush rolling back federal health and safety regulations.
Though the Bush White House deserves applause for the new rule, which will add a couple hundred dollars to the price of a new vehicle, it continues to drive me crazy that the DOT will not mandate two safety measures that are essentially free -- daytime running lights and heated side mirrors. Canada mandates both, at a cost of perhaps $5 per new vehicle. Studies show that daytime running lights reduce accident frequency and severity, while heated side mirrors improve the driver's ability to see other cars. Heated side mirrors have traditionally been viewed as a luxury option. They are a safety device, and everything that rolls down the road should have them."
Here is the link:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/060919
We agree Gregg (at least with respect to DRLs), and you are to be commended for your bold statements.
For the record, what should be mandated are the scientifically proven best DRLs available: AMBER Turn Signal Daytime Running Lights
Combine these with low power consuming, greenhouse gases reducing AMBER Turn Signal LED's, and you have a 21st century collision avoidance system that can save numerous lives. Additionally, we believe this could help lead the way for the upcoming European Union DRL laws scheduled to be enacted by June of 2009. Motorcycles as well as automobiles can significantly benefit from this 'nearly free' AMBER crash avoidance technology.
The 2005 Kia Amanti already has factory equipped AMBER front turn signal LED technology (located in the lower front bumper area), and our hope is that other car makers would be encouraged to follow their example.
Amber turn signals on stock bulbs (on the vehicle below, outer lamps) at DRL output consume about 4 amps total.
(Full power low beam headlight DRLs on this vehicle would consume 8 amps - Full headlights on during the day - min 12 amps or more)
But with LEDs substituted as the sole output turn signal devices (as shown in grille), total DRL system current consumption drops to less than 1 amp.
Each 40 LED amber oval LED turn signal lamp shown consumes only .27 amps at full turn signal output - the conventional 21 watt turn signal bulb consumes almost 2.0 amps (at 14v with engine running).
Visit our website to learn more about the proven superiority of AMBER DRLs: http://www.bestdrls.com/
